Clarence Ellis has left a legacy

Apr 25, 2010 Letters

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Dear Editor,
It was quite touching to see Ravi Dev acknowledge the life of the recently departed Clarence Frederick Ellis. It was not surprising because Ravi has always had the courage to be honest.
Ravi’s words do sum up this “good man” when he wrote, “Over the last two decades, I have had extended colloquies with him in the press on a host of subjects on Guyana.
I always found him to be erudite, reasoned and deeply committed to peace, reconciliation and the development of Guyana.
It is a loss to all of us that he is no longer with us”. Thank you Ravi.
At the same time, Clarence’s death again illustrates how divided a Nation we are. Clarence has made tremendous contributions to Guyana and yet, the Chronicle and Guyana Times, for over a week, have not even acknowledged he existed. Prem Misir and others at GINA, who all speak about trust as a basis for shared governance and who are critical decision makers and influencers in these two media entities should bow their heads in shame. Such is their deception.
The PPP and its senior functionaries should also bow their heads in shame. Even in death, the words of Gay McDougall, the United Nations Independent Expert on Minority Affairs, ring true,
“Ethnically based divisions and politics have created two separate and conflicting narratives and perceptions of reality in Guyana.
On the part of the Afro-Guyanese, there is a widely held belief that they are discriminated against by an Indian-dominated and supported government that puts Indian interests to the fore, particularly in resource allocation, government contracts and employment. On the part of the Indian-Guyanese, there is a belief that an Afro-Centric political opposition, if in power, would settle political scores and work solely in the interests of Afro-Guyanese.”
Even in death, the words of Doudou Diene, the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, ring true.
“Every level of Guyanese society is permeated by a profound moral, emotional and political fatigue, arising out of the individual and collective impact of ethnic polarization.”
A few days ago, Tacuma Ogunseye wrote of the quality of man Clarence Ellis was. He wrote, “My early memories of Brother Ellis go back to the early 1970s when he was involved with the African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA), which was housed in a building in Third Street, Alberttown.
He was one of many African academics employed in the government services who found the time to teach classes after their working hours.
In spite of his prestigious position in the government service he fearlessly stood up to and resisted Prime Minister Forbes Burnham who had declared war against ASCRIA after its alliance with the PNC ended because ASCRIA’s leadership had taken a decision to publicly expose corruption in the Burnham regime.
Many comrades who were members of ASCRIA or had close relations with the organisation ran away out of fear of losing their jobs. However, Clarence in an early demonstration of his indomitable will held his ground and continued to teach and maintained his association (membership) with ASCRIA. Since then he had neither faltered nor buckled under the pressures which high or low political officials had attempted to impose on him.
He was a warrior who fought for noble principles and remained incorruptible throughout his life. It was ironical that after many decades we met again in another African organisation.
This time it was the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA) where he played an important role in defining and developing the organisation’s work in its struggle for shared governance in Guyana”.
Clarence was a shared governance advocate along with the likes of Eusi Kwayana, David Hinds all of whom are living in foreign lands.
In the year 2000, five individuals, Stanley Ming, Eric Phillips, Supriya Singh, Jerome Khan and Malcolm Chow-A-Chee formed the REFORM Group.
In its charter were these words “REFORM is totally committed to the fundamental principle of a democratic, multi-racial, multi-ethnic, free enterprise society in which every Guyanese regardless of age, race, religion or creed has an equally opportunity to realise his or her enormous potential.”.
The charter went on to say, “REFORM believes that strong visionary leadership is a necessary prerequisite for Guyana’s ascendancy.
This leadership must be visionary, courageous, healing, experienced, knowledgeable, flexible, compassionate and accountable. This leadership must promote spiritual nationalism in Guyana”.
A decade later, we are still looking for this leadership. I call on all former REFORMERS to recommit to this process. Of late, only Peter Ramsaroop of these earlier REFORM members seems committed to these qualities. In the Diaspora, we have lost the voice of Clarence Ellis but we still have David Hinds, Rickford Burke, Dennis Wiggins, Keith Williams and a few others. Strangely, all of these are African Guyanese. At home, Mark Benscop another overseas Guyanese that returned home continues his valiant battle.
There is a lot of talk about a combined opposition, Big Tent and a Chilean model for the next elections. Over the last two weeks, I have shown that these models avoid the fundamental problem that is dividing Guyana.
I call on those who want to lead Guyana to stand up for justice and join with ACDA in refusing to go to another election if there is no constitutional reform.
I say these words to Winston Murray, Ralph Ramkarran, Stanley Ming, Rupert Roopnarine, Major General (Ret) Joseph Singh, Kemraj Ramjattan, Raphael Trotman, Everall Franklin, Joey Jagan, Ravi Dev and Hugh Chlomondeley. Don’t let the hate mongers and racial/commercial/criminal entrepreneurs divide us and get rich at our expense.
Leadership is not management. Being a great MP doesn’t make one a leader. Playing political games to win a leadership position shows a dishonesty that is intolerable.
To all these individuals, I say make a difference. Material wealth and power are fleeting things in life.
Look into the eyes of our children and be guided by what you see. Look into the eyes of our old…and be guided by your conscience. The Westminster system has victimized and marginalised our youth. We have to fight for them and then give them space to grow
What are we leaving our children? Be realistic. In 20 years, we who can make this difference will most likely join Clarence Ellis.
He has left a legacy. What is yours? What is ours?
Eric Phillips

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